Canada Tint Laws

Window tinting is very common vehicle customization due to several benefits it offers, Tinted windows improve the Vehicle Aesthetics and to reduce the impact of Harmful UVA and UVB rays emitted from the sun. However, Complying with Canada Tinting regulations is also important because these rules were imposed to ensure the public safety on roads, as the darker tints reduce the driver’s visibility to a great extent. Plus, the clear visibility into the vehicles is also crucial for Police and Law enforcement agencies due to the security concerns.

Tint Laws in Canada vary by province, that’s why it is important to understand the legal tint limits before applying the tinting materials on vehicle windows. Disobeying the tinting rules can lead to penalties and authorities may ask the driver to remove the illegal tint from windows.

Tint restrictions are applicable to Front windshield, Front Side windows, Rear side windows and rear window.

Overview of Canada Tint Laws

The below table highlights the Legal tint limits for Front windshield, Front Side windows, Back side windows and Rear windshield in all provinces of Canada. Obeying these tint limits can ensure your safety and prevent you from the Fines.

Provincial Tint Laws in Canada

The Legal tint limits for all provinces of Canada are given below. Adhering to these Tinting rules is crucial to avoid legal consequences and getting stopped by the police. Police can stop any vehicle to test the tinted windows, if they suspect illegal or unlawful tinting materials are applied to vehicle windows,

Alberta Tint Laws

Alberta Tint Laws restrict drivers and vehicle owners to apply tinting materials on the front windshield and front side windows, which are immediately on the left and right side of the driver. However for the Back side windows and rear window, any tint shade can be installed, if the vehicle have dual outside mirrors on left and right side.

Moreover the reflective tinting material should not be used to cover the back side windows and rear window, as it produces glare which may cause discomfort for other drivers on the road.

The glazing or tinting materials installed by the manufacturer are allowed, as they meet the standards and do not obstruct the driver’s vision.

If any individual needs to avoid direct sun exposure due to certain medical conditions, Medical exemption can be applied.

Drivers and vehicle owners must obey these legal tint limitations to avoid legal troubles:

• Front Windshield: Tinting or Glazing covering materials are not allowed.
• Front Side Windows: Any type of window covering film is restricted.
• Back side windows: Tint shade with any VLT ratio can be applied, but it must not be reflective.
• Rear Window: Darker tinting materials are allowed, but in presence of dual outside mirrors.
• Reflective Tinting Materials: These materials are prohibited to apply on any window.

British Columbia Tint Laws

British Columbia Tinting Regulations allow to install Tinting materials on Top 3 inches of the front windshield and Front side windows. The Front side windows must allow at least 70% of the Visible Light to pass through the windows. However the back side windows and rear windows can be covered with Glazing material of any VLT percentage.

Moreover, it is prohibited to install the reflective or mirror-like tinting covers on the vehicle windows. As these type of materials reflect the light and produce glare in sunlight or headlamps of other vehicles.

Hence, Drivers must follow the these legal tinting requirements to avoid penalties and tint tickets.

• Front Windshield: Non reflective tint can be applied on top 3 inches or 7.5 cm on the front windshield.
• Front Side Windows: Front Side windows must pass at least 70% of the Visible light.
• Back Side Windows: Any Tint shade can be installed on Back side windows.
• Rear Window: Non-reflective tint shade with any VLT percentage can be applied.
• Reflective Tinting Materials: Reflective or mirrored tints are restricted.

Compliance of the above window tinting requirements is mandatory, otherwise the tint ticket of $109 shall be issued to guilty driver with a warning to remove illegal tint within certain time. In case you didn’t modify or remove the illegal tint and caught by police, the tint ticket of $595 shall be issued.

Window Tinting Circular – British Columbia dated October 5, 2004

Manitoba Tint Laws

Manitoba Window Tinting laws allow to apply the non-reflective glazing or covering materials on top 5 inches or 12.7 cm of the front windshield with a recommended VLT ratio of at least 50 percent. The front side windows must pass 50% or more light from the window glass, while the back side windows cannot be covered with less than 35% percent tint. However rear window can be covered with any darker tint shade, if both outside mirror are in place.

Like other states, Manitoba tinting rules do not allow to apply reflective tint, because higher reflectivity produces glare and may cause disturbance for other drivers on the road.

Hence, Drivers and vehicle owners in Manitoba province must comply with these tinting requirements to avoid fines:

• Front Windshield: Non-reflective tinting materials can be applied on top 5 inches or 12.7 cm on the front windshield.
• Front Side Windows: Front Side windows must pass have minimum VLT of 50%.
• Back Side Windows: No less than 35% Tint shade can be installed on Back side windows.
• Rear Window: Non-reflective glazing material with any VLT can be installed if both side mirrors are in order.
• Reflective Tinting Materials: Reflective or mirror-like tinted windows are restricted.

Manitoba tint laws are flexible due to permissible Tint Variance of 5%, but if the applied tint is still lower than the allowed limits then it can result in a fine of $175.

New Brunswick Tint Laws

Residents of New Brunswick can apply 70% Tint percentage on the front windshield, which means the front windshield must pass 70 percent of the visible light. Similarly, the Front side windows can be covered with Tinting materials having 70% VLT Percentage. However, Any tint shade can be installed on the back side windows. The rear side windows can be darker to any extent, if dual side mirrors outside the vehicle are functional.

Remember, Still there exist a restriction to apply the Reflective tinting, Glazing or spray materials on vehicle windows.

To understand the New Brunswick tinting regulations, follow the below list:

• Front Windshield: Front windshield must pass 70% or more light.
• Front side windows: Tinting material with 70% VLT is permissible.
• Back side windows: Any Tint shade can be applied.
• Rear window: Window film of any darkness can be installed on rear window.
• Reflective Coating Material: Materials that produce reflection to a greater extent shall be considered illegal.

Complying to these tinting requirements is necessary, otherwise the fine of $172.5 shall be issued to the driver who violate the legal tint limits.

Newfoundland and Labrador Tint Laws

Newfoundland and Labrador tint laws do not allow to apply any kind of tint on the front windshield of the vehicle. Addition to this, same restriction is applicable to front side windows. However, the back side windows and rear window can be covered with tinting or coating materials of any darkness.

To comply with Tinting regulations of Newfoundland and Labrador tint laws, follow the below list:

• Front Windshield: Any kind of tint is restricted.
• Front side windows: Tinting not allowed.
• Back side windows: Any Tint darkness can be applied.
• Rear window: Window film of any darkness can be installed on rear window.
• Reflective Material: Reflective tints are prohibited.

Disobeying of Tinting regulations can may result in a window tint fine of up to $50 and driver need to pay additional cost for the vehicle inspection.

North West Territories Tint Laws

Tint laws of North West Territories do not permit to apply Tinting materials on Front windshield and front side windows of motor vehicles. However the back side windows and rear window of cars can be covered with any darker tint, No percentage is specified by the authorities.

Keep in mind, Like other Provinces Tinting regulations of North West Territories restrict to install reflective tinting materials, which reflect sunlight more than a standard car window.

Compliance with the Tint laws is necessary, follow these legal requirements to stay away from penalties:

• Front Windshield: Tinting not allowed.
• Front side windows: Tinting not allowed.
• Back side windows: Tinting material with any VLT percentage can be installed.
• Rear window: Window film of any darkness can be installed.
• Reflective Material: Reflective tinting materials are prohibited.

If any driver caught by police with unlawful tint on vehicle, police can test the window tint and fine shall be issued.

Nova Scotia Tint Laws

According to Nova Scotia Tint Laws, Tinting is not allowed on Front windshield and Front side windows. However the back side windows and rear window can be covered with tint of any darkness or VLT percentage.

Not only this, Motor Vehicle Act of Nova Scotia do not allow any vehicle to operate if the glass of any vehicle is shattered, broken or damaged to an extent that impairs the driver’s clear vision of the road or highway.

The key requirements of Nova Scotia tinting rules are given as below:

• Front Windshield: Tinting not allowed.
• Front side windows: Tinting not allowed.
• Back side windows: Any Tint darkness can be applied.
• Rear window: Window film of any darkness can be installed on rear window.
• Reflective Material: Reflective tinting or covering materials are restricted.

Violation of these laws can lead to fine or penalties of up to $595 and law enforcement authorities can ask the driver to remove the illegal tinting materials.

Nunavut Tint Laws

Nunavut tint laws defined in Traffic Safety Act section 141 prohibit to install or affix coating or tinting materials on front side windows and front windshield. Contrary to this, non-reflective tint of any VLT percentage can be used on back side windows and rear window.

Addition to above, if the window film comes with a new vehicle purchased from the Authorized dealer, it is permissible by the law. Because manufacturers follow the Federal Motor vehicle safety act that says the vehicle glass must pass 70% of the visible light to pass through the windows. Secondly, some manufacturers apply the transparent Type of tint, which can block 99% harmful rays without going too dark.

To comply with Nunavut Tint laws, obey these legal tint limits:

• Front Windshield: Any light blocking material shall not applied on front windshield.
• Front side windows: Tinting not allowed.
• Back side windows: Any Tint darkness can be applied.
• Rear window: Tinting or covering material with any VLT percentage can be affixed.
• Reflective Material: Tinting materials with reflective properties are banned.

Ontario Tint Laws

Drivers in Ontario are legally allowed to operate the vehicle if the tinting material having 70% VLT are applied on the front side windows and there should be no tinting, coating or spray material affixed on the front windshield. Additionally, the back side windows and rear window of the motor vehicle can be tinted with any shade, if the dual side mirrors are in place.

Notwithstanding with above, The tinted windows should not reflect the sunlight to a larger extent as compared to standard car windows. It means drivers must not install the coating material with reflective properties.

Non-complying with tinting regulations can lead to violations and authorities may order to remove the illegal tint from vehicle glass.

Hence, to ensure compliance with follow the below listed legal limits:

• Front Windshield: Tinting the Front windshield is prohibited.
• Front side windows: 70% VLT is allowed.
• Back side windows: Any darker tint can be applied.
• Rear window: Tinting or covering material with any VLT percentage can be installed.
• Reflective Material: Reflective tinting films are banned.

Quebec Tint Laws

Tinting rules of Quebec allow drivers to install non-reflective glazing material on top 15 cm of the front windshield. Additionally, the front side windows can be tinted so that 70% Visible light must transmit through the windows. The back side windows and rear window glass can be covered with any tint shade, if dual side mirrors are in order.

Drivers can follow these legal tint requirements to adhere with Quebec Tint Laws:

• Front Windshield: Non-reflective tint on top 15 cm is permitted.
• Front side windows: 70% Tint shade is allowed by law.
• Back side windows: Any darker tint can be installed.
• Rear window: Any Tint shade can be used.
• Reflective Material: Reflective tints shall be considered illegal.

Non-compliance of Tinting regulation may result in monetary fine, the amount of penalty depends on the severity of the violation.

Prince Edward Tint Laws

Prince Edward Provincial tint laws do not permit to install the tinting materials on front windshield and front side windows. However the back side windows behind the operator seat can be covered with Tinting material of any darkness, but make sure the exterior side mirrors on both sides of the vehicle work properly.

Motor vehicles operated in Prince Edward province must obey these legal tint limits to avoid fines:

• Front Windshield: Tinting is not allowed.
• Front side windows: Tinting is not allowed.
• Back side windows: Any tint shade can be applied.
• Rear window: Any Tint shade can be used.
• Reflective Material: Reflective tinting films are prohibited.

Yukon Tint Laws

Yukon tint laws allows motorists to install tinting materials having 70% or more Visible Light Transmission percentage on the windshield and front side windows. However the any darker shade can be used for the Back side windows and rear window, provided that the dual outside mirrors are working properly.

Like other provinces, Yukon tint laws discourage drivers to use the tinting materials which produces reflection due to sunlight and headlight of other vehicles on the road. As the reflective window films produces glare which could be annoying for other drivers.

Drivers must Obey the Yukon tinting regulation to refrain from the Penalties:

• Front Windshield: Tinting is not allowed.
• Front side windows: Tinting is not allowed.
• Back side windows: Tinting material of any VLT % can be installed.
• Rear window: Tinting material of any VLT % can be applied.
• Reflective Material: Only Non-reflective window films are permitted.

Summary

Canada imposed Tint Laws for the safety of drivers and passengers, As the illegal tints impairs the driver’s vision which may cause collision or accident resulting in the injury or in some case it could be fatal too. Secondly, Another important factor is the Security of cities and provinces as the clear vision from the vehicle glass allows police personnel to clearly see the insider view of the vehicle.

Furthermore, If you found you have installed the illegal tint, it is advised to remove the illegal tint and replace it with a legal tint. Consult with a professional Tint installer who should know the legal requirements of your province. Also you can ask for legality certificate for the window film, which can be represented to Police officers if they stop you.

Frequently asked Questions